Alopecia
A gradual thinning of hair is a natural part of aging according to the Mayo Clinic. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that it is normal to lose up to 100 hairs from your head every day. When hair loss exceeds the rate of regrowth it can lead result in an obvious thinning of the hair and possibly lead to baldness. The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. Pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most widespread and usually permanent type of alopecia. The Mayo Clinic says it affects approximately 33 percent of men and women.
Permanent Balding
The NIH says about 25 percent of men begin to bald by age 30 and more than 60 percent notice the effects of male-pattern baldness by the time they turn 60. Androgenetic alopecia may begin with a receding hairline at the temples and end with partial or total baldness.
Female-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) on the other hand typically results in hair loss that is limited to thinning at the crown, front or sides. It is rare for women to experience complete baldness.
A rare condition called cicatricial (scarring) alopecia leads to permanent hair loss when inflammation damages and scars the hair follicle. This type of patchy hair loss may cause pain or minor itching.
Temporary Balding
A type of temporary hair loss known as alopecia areata typically occurs in round, quarter-sized patches. While this condition is usually limited to a few bare spots on the scalp, it can result in patchy hair loss in other areas, such as the eyelashes and eyebrows. In rare case it causes bodily hair loss. This is referred to as alopecia universalis.
Certain hairstyles that are worn frequently, such as braids or pigtails, can sometimes cause bald patches. This condition is medically defined as traction alopecia.
The NIH says physical or emotional stress may trigger a temporary thinning of the hair known as telegen effluvium. People with this condition may find clumps of scalp hair coming out while combing or shampooing their hair. Telegen effluvium may result following childbirth, high fever, major surgery, acute emotional stress or sudden blood loss.
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